Roller coaster toy



Aug. 16 .1932.

J. H. WILY ROLLER COASTER TOY Fil ed Jan. 21. 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Aug. 16, 1932. J. H. WILY ROLLER COASTER TOY Filed Jan. 21. 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 WW: ENTOIR ATTORNEYS Aug. 16, 1932- J. H. WlLY ROLLER COASTER TOY Filed Jan. 21, 1931 4 sheets-sheet 5' H 1 L Nb VENTOR I :& B I QIL I T ATTORNEYS Aug 16, 1932 J. H. WlLY ROLLER QPASTER TOY Filed Jan. 21. 1931 4 Sheets-$11691, 4

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, %/%IENTOR BY ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 16, 1932 PATENT OFFICE JAMES H. WILY, or' nn'rnnnnnm, PENNSYLVANIA ROLLER cons'rnn rov Application et January 21, 1931. Serial No. 510,163.

This invention relates to a roller coaster toy in which a car or cars are caused to run automatically and in a plurality of trips over an extended track for a considerable period of time with one loading of the toy.

An object of this invention is the provlsion of a device which will elevate a small car to the top of a roller coaster track and discharge it thereon and when the car reaches the end of the track will elevate it automatically by the automatic discharging of a weight from a weight platform into a welght elevator, which is operatively connected to the car elevator.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an inclined plane discharge platform for the weight, non-binding weight or ball and car elevators, and an automatic weight or ball release unit for releasing and permitting the discharge of the weightsor balls one by one from the storage platform to the weight or ball elevator, actuated by the car as it reaches the end of its travel.

Other objects of this invention include the provision of such a toy device which is simple and strong in construction, attractive in appearance, efiicient in operation and simple and cheap to manufacture on a production basis, as well as improvements in detail of construction and operation hereinafter described so that an attractive synchronized device is provided which is constantly and continuously operable over long periods of time.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, this invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and then sought to be defined in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, and which show, merely for the purpose of illustrative disclosures, an embodiment of my invention, it being expressly understood, however, that various changes may be made in practice within the scope of the claims without digressing from my idea.

In the drawings Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a device constructed to embody myinvention.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal cross section of theelevator portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, without the roller coaster track being shown, and with the parts in the position which they assume at the inception of the automatically continuous operation of the structure, with the car at the end of its travel in its elevator at its lowermost or loading position.

Figures 3 and 4 are similar to Figure 2, but with the parts in different position.

Figure 5 represents a plan view of a ball magazine together with a portion of the automatic dischargemechanism.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary disassociated perspective view of the discharge mechanism for the balls in the magazine.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one form of a ball elevator.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one form of a car elevator.

Figure 9 is a cross section of a car at the end of the roller coaster track entering the base of the car elevator column.

Figure 10 is a detailed perspective view of the ball release lever showing the means for causing the discharge of the cars from the car elevator.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of an im- '80 proved form of ball elevator.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of an improved form of car elevator.

The general operation of the structure can be readily understood by reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4. In these figures a car elevator column 10 and a ball elevator column 12-are shown positioned upon a base 14. A ball platform 16 is shown uniting the two columns at their top.. The upper run of the car track 18 of roller coaster design extends from a discharge opening or door 20 in theupper portion of car elevator column 10 away from the column to the end of the base 14, being suitably supported thereupon. This upper'run terminates short of the end of-the base tocause the car to jump a gap to the chute 22 which directs the car to the lower run 18 of the track which returns it to the base of the car elevator columnlO.

A roller coaster car 24 is raised by a car elevator 26 in column 10 by a discharge of one of the balls 27 into a ball elevator 28 in column 12. The car elevator 26 and ball elevator 28 are united by a cord, string, cable or the like 29 extending over the pulleys 30, and therefore when the ball elevator descends due to the weight of one of the balls 27, the car elevator 26 is raised to a position slightly above the opening 20 in the column 10. Elevator 26 is tilted and the car 24 is discharged therefrom through door 20 onto the track. Simultaneously therewith the ball in the ball elevator 28 is discharged at the base of its column and since the car elevator is made substantially heavier than the ball elevator, the car elevator returns to the base of its column and the ball elevator to the top of its column during the time the car is running on the track. When the car approaches the car elevator column 10 its impetus carries it through a one way door 32 and thereupon it impacts with a trigger finger 34. Trigger finger 34 is provided or formed on the lower end of lever 36 which is pivotally supported as at 38 at an intermediate part of column 12. A ball release member 40 is provided at the upper end of lever 36 and Within the ball platform 16 as will be explained hereinafter in an individual treatment of these parts, the movement of lever 36 discharges another of the balls 27 and thereupon the cycle of operation continues in like manner until the balls in the ball platform are exhausted.

The ball platform 16 is provided with an inclined plane or track construction 41 upon which a plurality of balls 27 are placed. This member 41 has three runs with inner flanges 42 substantially paralleling three side flanges 16 of the platform to form a continuously downwardly inclined track 41 leading to one end of the platform. This inclined plane or track causes the balls to feed by their own weight in proper position to be discharged through opening 44 of the ball platform 16 into the ball elevator 28, when trigger 34 is released.

The operation of the release for the balls or weights is illustrated in detail in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. In normal position the ball release member 40 which is provided with a claw or hook 46 swings of its own weight toward the discharge opening 44 provided in the bottom of the ball platform 16. The ball release member is guided and limited in its movement by a slot 48 in the ball platform. The end of the hook 46 contacts with substantially the mid point of the end ball 50 as shown in full lines in Figure 5, to hold this ball against release through the discharge opening 44 until the lever 36 is moved or actuated by a car engaging the lower end or trigger 84 thereof. When lever 36 is actuated by the impact of the car as indicated in Figures 2and 6, ball release member 40 is moved away from the end ball 50 and toward the next ball 51 in sequence, see Figure 5, thereby releasing ball 50 so that it may drop throughdischarge opening 44 onto ball elevator 28. An important feature of this construction is the arcuate movement of mem ber 40 which is caused by link or red 52 pivoted to the ball platform at 54 and pivotally connected to the ball release member 40 as at 57. This link 52 guides ball release member 40 in a sli ht arc causing the claw or hook 46 to drive towards the next ball and towards the side flange 16' of the ball platform. The hook 46 thus actually intercepts tl e ball next inline and when the trigger finger is released, the intercepted ball and the hook 46 travel towards space 44 until hook 46 rests against the middle point of the ball. Thus while the first ball is discharging the second ball is held securely upon the platform. In asniuch as the lever 36 is pivoted at a point above its center the depending arm thereof and the trigger 34 act as a pendulum to cause the ball release member 40 and its hook 4 to return to its normal full line position of Figure 5, when the pressure of the car against the trigger 34 is released as above stated.

The necessary slight lateral movement of ball release member 40 is permitted by a loose pivoting of lever 86 at point 38 and by the width of slot 48 in the ball platform, and also by a triangular slot 56 in the base 14 through which trigger finger 34 projects, the ends of these slots forming stops or abutments to limit the movement of member 40.

One form of the ball elevator 28 is shown in detail in Figure 7, and its structure and movement can be understood by reference to this figure in conjunction with Figures 2, 3

and 4. This elevator is made of pressed metal, and when it is suspended does not completely fill the ball elevator column 12 as it is made slightly smaller or narrower in order not to bind. This ball elevator is in the form of a cage adapted to receive a ball dropped from above and to discharge the ball from the front thereof. It includes a base 58, a front member 60 and a combination rear member and supporting arm 62. The

base 58 is provided with a pair of side members 64 spaced apart by a relatively wide slot 66, the edges of which form a track to receive the balls. The side members 64 of the base are provided with the upstanding flanges 68 to prevent the ball from falling out of the elevator cage and assist the same in properly settling in position. The front member 60 extends upwardly at substantially right angles to the base 58 and is provided with the enlarged discharge opening in line with the ball track formed by the slot in the bottom of the cage. The rear member and suppor ing arm 62 extends upwardly from the base 58 and has its upper portion bent or extended inwardly toward the center of the cage. it

is provided with a tongue or projection 69 to which one end of the rope or cable is attached. Due to the position of the end of arm 62 and its connection to the rope or cable, the elevator cage is normally tilted rearwardly so that the ball runs to the rear end of the track or slot 66 and rests against the rear member 62 during the entire descending movement of the elevator cage 28, see Figures 2 and 3. Y

The cage is provided with a depending flange member 70 extending downwardly from the rear edge of the base member 58. This depending flange is adapted to engage the inclined plane member 71 provided on the base 14; within the ball elevator column 12. Due to the rearward inclination of these inclined members 71, the ball elevator is caused to move toward one end of the elevator column a suflicient distance to permit the cage to tilt forwardly a sufficient distance to discharge the ball therefrom onto the base 14, see Figure 4 particularly.

One form of car elevator structure is shown in detail in Figure 8 of the drawings. It comprises a base 72, side members 73 and a top member 74. This top member is provided with a suitable aperture to receive the same rope or cable which extends over the pulleys 30 and is connected to the ball elevator or cage 28. The base72 extends to the rear considerably beyond the edges of the side members 7 8 and isprovided with the inclined side flanges or guides 7 5, the rear ends of which are slightly bent or inclined inwardly as at 76 and provided with the end stops or abut-ments 77. The bottom of the base member 72 is provided with the rear slot 78. The inclined side edges or flanges of the base member are provided with the notches or recesses 79 which are adapted to receive the side edges of the car elevator column to maintain the elevator in proper position and guide the same in its upward and downward movement. The front edges of the side member 73 of the car elevator are inclined or slanted for a considerable length, as designated at 80 in Figure 8 and have an extended bearing against the inside of the front wall of the car elevator column to prevent binding and excessive frictional contact.

The car 24 is projected into the car elevator with considerable force and the inclined side member 75 of the base functions to guide the same into proper position and the end members 77 function as stops or abutments to hold the car within the elevator. The front end of the bottom member is curved upwardly or beaded as at 81 to prevent the car from bouncing back off of the elevator and to prevent binding as the car ascends. Due to the manner in which the car elevator is supported from the rope or cable with unbalanced weight, it is normally tilted forwardly when the car is in position therein,

or base member of the car elevator and engages the rear end of the car, the continued upward movementof which causes the car to be forced out of its elevator through the opening 20 and onto the upper run of the track 18.

This gives a positive discharge for the car and an initial impetus at the beginning of its travel over the roller coaster track.

The entrance to the car elevator 26 from the lower run 18 of the roller coaster track is through space 32 provided with a one-way ,door construction 83, see Figures 1 and 9.

This door construction comprises a piece of metal with a U-s'haped opening 84 having a laterally turned flange 85 at its upper edge which is pivotally mounted in a slot or opening 86 in the front wall of the car when the same is being raised and affording a bearing surface for the wheels of the car during the initial stages of its upward movement.

In Figure 10 a slight modification of the lever 36 is illustrated, the principal point of difference being in the formation of the trigger. 34 which may be in the form of a wire loo-p secured to the lever 36 in proper position to be engaged by the car 24: as it moves into the car elevator after it has left the lower end'of the lower run of the roller coaster track.

Another and an improved formof ball elevator is illustrated in detail in Figure 11 and designated generally by the reference character 88. It includes the base or bottom member 89, the upwardly extending side members 90, the vertically extending front member 91 having the discharge opening 92. This discharge opening 92 is in alignment with the slot 93 formed in the base or bottom member 89, the side edges of which form a track for the ball or weight member. This elevator cage is provided with the rear abutment member 94 and with the downwardly extending flange member 95 at the rear thereof which operates to properly position and cause the tilting of the cage as a whole at the end of its descent as described in connection with the other form of elevator. The front member of this elevator is provided with the overhanging lip or flange 96 to prevent the ball from jumping out of position until the proper time for its discharge. The elevator cage as a whole is supported by means of a looped wire swivel member 97 to the loop 98 of which the rope or cable is loosely connected. Of course this connection is provided in such a manner so that as the -elevator hangs freely, it is tilted rearwardly so that the ball is retained.

Another form of car elevator is illustrated in Figure 12 of the drawings. The construction of this is substantially the same as the one previously described. The supporting means is somewhat diflerent in that it includes the wire loop member 99 which is swiveled or pivoted to the upstanding flanges 1-00. The forward end of the base member is provided with a bead 101 to prevent the unintentional discharge or movement of the car from proper position. This form of elevator is preferably formed in two parts 102 and 103 which is secured together by bendable lugs or lips .104 projecting through corresponding openings 105.

lVhat I claim is:

1. A roller coaster-toy of the character de scribed, including a car, a car elevator and a ball weight elevator operatively connected together, a ball platform for supporting a plurality of ball weights in a'raised position having an inclined track for feeding said balls to discharge position, lever mea-ns actuated by said car for permitting the discharge of said balls one by one into the ball elevator to cause the descent thereof and the corresponding raising, of the car elevator.

' 2, A roller coaster toy of the character de scribed, including a car elevator and a ball weight elevator operatively connected together, a ball platform for supporting a plurality of ball weights in a raised position having an inclined track for feeding said balls to discharge position, said ball platform being rectangular in shape and having upstanding side flanges and said inclined track paralleling a plurality of the sides of said ball platform and having an upstanding flange along the inside edge and inclining continuously from one end to the other, means for permitting the discharge of said balls one by one into the ball elevator to cause the descent thereof and the corresponding raising of the car elevator.

3. A roller coaster toy of the character clescribed, including a car elevator and a ball weight elevator operatively connected together, a ball platform for supporting a plurality of ball weights in a raised position having an inclined track for feeding said balls to discharge position, means for permittingthe discharge of said balls one by one into the ball elevator to cause the descent thereof and the corresponding raising of the car elevator said means including an elongated lever pivoted at a point above its center so that its lower end normally swings beyond the vertical in position to be engaged by a car at the completion of a trip over the track.

4. A roller coaster toy of the character described, including a car elevator and a ball weight elevator operatively connected tion having an inclined track for feeding said balls to discharge position, means for permitting the discharge of said balls one by one into the ball elevator to cause the descent thereof and the corresponding raising of the car elevator, said means including an elongated lever pivoted at a point above its center so as to have its lower end normally swing beyond the vertical in position to be engaged by a car at the completion of a trip over the track, said lever having an arm positioned in said ball platform the end portion of which is adapted to engage the end ball to prevent the same from being discharged until said arm is moved away from said ball when the lever is actuated.

5. A roller coaster toy of the character described, including a car elevator and a ball weight elevator operatively connected together, a ball platform for supporting a plurality of ball weights in a raised posi tion having an inclined track for feeding said balls to discharge position, means for permitting the discharge of said balls one by one into the ball elevator to cause the de scent thereof and the corresponding raising of the car elevator, said means including an elongated lever pivoted at a point above its center so as to have its lower end normally swing beyond the vertical in position to be engaged by a car at the completion of a trip over the track, said lever having an arm positioned in saidball platform, the end portion of which is adapted to engage the end ball to prevent the same from being discharged until said arm is moved away from said ball when the lever is actuated, and a loose link element connected to said arm to Complete the movement of the end thereof through an arc.

6. In a toy roller coaster of the character described, a car elevator cage including a base member, upwardly extending side mem- 110 bers and means forconnecting the side members to an elevating rope or cable so that the elevator has a-normally forwardly inclined position, said base member having in clined side portions, rear stop or abutment members and means at the frontthereof to prevent unintentional discharge of the car therefrom.

bers being inclined so as to have extended 139 engagement with the sides of an elevator column during the upward movement of the elevator therein. a

8. In a toy roller coaster of the character described, a car elevator cage including a base member, upwardl extending side members and means for connecting the side members to an elevating rope or cable so that the elevator has a normally forwardly inclined position, said base member having inclined side portions, rear stop or abutment members and means at the front thereof to prevent unintentional discharge of the car therefrom, the side members of the bottom of the elevator being provided with notches or recesses to receive portions of the elevator column for guiding and positioning.

' 9. In a toy roller coaster of the-character described, a car elevator cage including a base member upwardly extending side members and means for connecting the side members to an elevating rope or cable so that the elevator has a normally forwardly inclined position, said base member having inclined side portions, rear stop or abutment members and means at the front thereof to prevent unintentional discharge of theicartherefrom, said bottom or base member beingextended rearwardly beyond said side members and having a recess provided therein to receive an extending member which is adapted to engage the rear end of the car and positively discharge the car from the elevator. 10. A roller coaster toy of the character described, a ball elevator cage comprising a base member formed with a wide slot or opening, the sides of which provide a track for a ball, upwardly extending vside members, a rear. abutment member, a front member having a discharge-opening therethrough in line with said slot and means for connecting said cage to a rope or container so as to support the same in a rearwardly inclined position. a

11. A roller coastertoy of thecharacter described, a ball elevator cage; comprising a base member formed with a wide slot or opening, the sides of which provide a track for a ball, upwardly extending side members, a rear abutment member, a front member having a discharge opening therethrough in line with said slot andmeans for connecting said cage to a rope or container so as to support the same in a rearwardly inclined position, said cage having a foot or flange depending from the base member thereof at the-'rear and adapted to engage means at the bottom of the elevator column and thereby form a pivotal edge upon which the cage as a whole tilts to discharge the ball therefronn V 12. In a device ofthe character described, a car elevator column, a car, a car elevator adapted to raise said car from a point near the base of thecolumn to a discharge space for the car near the topv of the column, a

car elevator being freely suspended at a point ofl its center of gravity when being raised in the column so that the elevator is tilted towards the side of the column provided with the discharge space and so that the car will roll by gravity fromthe elevator through the space, said car elevator being provided with extended bearing surfaces adapted to co-operate with said column. 1 I

18. A structure as described in claim'12 wherein the car elevator column is provided with a slotted-side and wherein the car ele H vator comprises a base longer than the width of the column so that a portion of the base protrudes from the column through said side andla top'portion adapted to slide'up and down'within the column, said base being provided with'not'ches through whichthe col umn edges of the slotted side run to position the car elevator and said top portion being formed of strips of metal slightly less in width thanth e width of the column and having sides which substantially conform to the sides of the column but the edges of said side of the top portion fronting the discharge space being cut at an angle so that when the car elevator is suspended at a tilted angle the edges of the elevator which would tend to bind normally are flush with the column side;

14. A car elevator comprising a base, a metal strip top over a portion of said base adapted to weight the car ofl balance so that it tilts when it" is' suspended from a point at the top which is approximately the geometrical center of'the base portion, said base being provided with flaring sides to settle the car in the center of the base and back stop flanges atthe rear of the car elevator so that whenithe car is run' into the elevator with considerable' force it is retained therein;

s 15. In a structure of the type described, a base, a weight elevator column therein, a weight elevator supported to slide up and down said column with its bottom tilted at an angle, metallic balls orfweights, a projecits iio

tion downward from the bottom of said weight elevator, said elevator having a slot in the bottom thereof less in width than the diameter of the ball weights to form a holding means andtrack therefor and tabs upon said base at the bottom of the elevator column, said tabs projecting at an angle and adapted to contact with the projection upon the bottom of the elevator so as to settlethe elevator in a position to tilt and cause a ball to roll from the slot edges onto the base. 16. A structure of the type described, comprising weight and rolling member elevators and columns, a track, a ball platform mounted upon said column and an inclined runway for a line of balls positioned upon said platform, a plurality of weighted balls, said platformbeing provided with an opening for the iis discharge of balls to the weight elevator, in combination with an automatic weight discharge mechanism comprising a trigger finger adapted to be tripped by the impact of the rolling member as it enters its elevator, a ball discharge member adapted to normally prevent the discharge of balls through said space of said platform, a claw hook mounted upon said discharge member adapted to normally rest above said opening so as to block the exit of balls and a lever connecting said discharge member and said trigger finger so that as the trigger finger is tripped the discharge member and hook are drawn away from said space towards the reserve balls to permit the discharge of a single ball.

17. A structure as defined in claim 16 which further includes a rod pivoted to the discharge-member and to the platform adapted to impart an arcuate movement to the discharge member and hook so that as the hook is drawn from the discharge opening it is driven towards the next ball in line whereby it is made certain that only one ball is dis charged for each movement of the hook from the opening.

18. A roller coaster toy of the character described, including a car elevator and a ball weight elevator operatively connected together, a ball platform for supporting a plurality of ball, weights in a raised position and having an inclined track for feeding said ball weights to discharge position, means for permitting the discharge of said ball weights one by one into the ball elevator to cause the descent thereof and the corresponding raising of the car elevator,said means including an elongated lever pivoted so that its lower end normally swings beyond the vertical in position to be engaged by a car at the completion of a trip over the track.

19. A roller coaster toy of the character described, including a car elevator and a ball weight elevator operatively connected together, a ball platform for supporting a plurality of ball weights, means for permitting the discharge of said ball weights one by one into the ball weight elevator to cause the-descent thereof and the corresponding raising of the car elevator, said means including an elongated lever pivoted so as to have its lower end normally center beyond the vertical in position to be engaged by a car at the completion of a trip over the track, said lever having an arm positioned adjacent said ball platform, the'end portion of which is adapted to engage the end ball weight to prevent the same from being discharged until said arm is moved from said ball weight when said lever is actuated.

20. In a device of the character described,

' a car elevator column, a car, a car elevator adapted to raise said car from a point near the base of the column to a discharge space for the carnear the top of the column, a :pul-

ley mechanism adapted to raise said car elevator partially within said column, said car elevator being freely suspended at a point off its center of gravity when being raised in the column so that the elevator is tilted towards the side of the column provided with the discharge space and so that the car will roll by gravity from the elevator through the space, said car elevator column being provided with a, slotted side, and said car elevator having a base longer than the width of said column so that a portion of said base projects from said column through said side, said base being provided with notches adapted to engage the edges of said slot in said column to position the car elevator and guide the same during its movement.

21. In a device of the character described, a car elevator column, a car, a car elevator adapted to raise said car from a point near the base of thecolumn to a discharge space for the car near the top of the column, a pulley mechanism adapted to raise said car elevator partially within said column, said car elevator being freely suspended at a point off its center of gravity when being raised in the column so that the elevator is tilted towards the side of the column provided with the discharge space so that the car will roll by gravity from the elevator through the space, said car elevator having sides which substantially conform to the sides of the said column, but the edges of said sides being cut at an angle so that when the car elevator is suspended at a tilted angle the edges of said elevator which would tend to bind normally are flush with said column side.

22. 'A structure of the character described, comprising weight and rolling member elevators and columns, a track, a ball platform mounted upon said column, and an inclined runway for a plurality of balls positioned upon said platform, a plurality of weighted balls, said platform being provided with an opening for the discharge of balls to said weighted elevator, in combination with an automatic ball discharging mechanism comprising a trigger finger adapted to be tripped by the impact'of "the rolling'member as it enters its elevator, a ball discharge member adapted .to normally prevent the discharge of balls through said opening in said platform, and a lever connecting said'discharge member and said trigger finger so that vas said trigger finger is tripped, said discharge memis ber is drawn away from said opening towards the reserve balls to permit the discharge of a single bal1, said lever being loose- 1y pivoted so as to permit said discharge member to travel in an arcuate line. I

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day of December, 1930.

7 JAMES H. WI-LY. 

